Kerri Maher on Summer of Love: Family Secrets, Addiction, and the California Dream

Bestselling author Kerri Maher, acclaimed for The Paris Bookseller, The Kennedy Debutante, and The Girl in White Gloves, joins Women, Books & More to discuss Summer of Love, her first novel not inspired by real historical figures.

The phrase “California Dreamin’” (immortalized by The Mamas & the Papas' 1965 hit) has long symbolized the idealism of the era. In Summer of Love, Kerri Maher looks beyond that mythology to explore the complexities of family, addiction, forgiveness, and the stories we inherit. Set in California's wine country, it's a moving novel about sisters, memory, resilience, and the ties that bind us across generations.

In this conversation, Kerri shares why she stepped away from historical fiction rooted in real lives to write a wholly imagined family saga, how Napa Valley became an essential character in the novel, and why the things families never say can shape generations as profoundly as the truths they tell.

The books currently on Kerri's bedside table include Love & Saffron by Kim Fay and Flashlight by Susan Choi

Learn more about Kerri Maher and her books: www.kerrimaher.com

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